I'm sorry for delayed update. I hope you find it worth the wait. I do so appreciate those who are trying to keep the Andith ship afloat. They are just such a fun pairing to write about. Finished watching this last series of Cold Feet and now that I've finished salivating over RB, at least for now, I felt it is safe to return to the keyboard without doing much damage to the inner workings. Let me know how you like it.
That evening Anthony appeared at Edith's door. She had been forewarned that they wouldn't be dining at the pub or anything that resembled a pub so she had dressed in a dress that she thought would work in most any setting, except the poshest. When she opened the door to Anthony, she was mildly surprised to find him standing there in a rather expensive looking suit, a crisp shirt and silk tie that matched the blue of his eyes, which twinkled as he held out a small florist's box. Peering inside, she was delighted to find he'd brought her a wrist corsage of fresh tiny red rosebuds.
"Thought a dozen red roses might seem a trifle cliché," he explained. "But I wanted to make this evening special."
Edith looked up him, smiling broadly. "They're beautiful." She pulled the little arrangement from the box and slipped the band over her wrist, admiring the tiny buds. They were so small and arranged so closely together with a delicateness that intrigued her, she couldn't help the warmth that spread through her. Lifting her wrist to smell the little flowers, she peered over them to see Anthony watching her, a very pleased look gracing his features.
"Glad you approve," he said as he watched her obvious delight. "We should be off then, so that we don't arrive too late."
"Late? You've made reservations?"
"Indeed I have," he winked as he offered her his arm to escort her from the hotel.
Edith had no idea where they were going and her questions were rebuffed. "I want it to be a surprise, my dear," was all Anthony would say in response. She tried listing off at least a dozen posh restaurants to see how he responded, but he merely smiled a somewhat goofy, one sided smile and kept driving.
Finally, Anthony pulled the car into a car park near the pier. Edith looked around to try to discern their destination but couldn't make sense of it. Anthony got out of the car and walked around to open the door for her, offering his hand as she stepped out of his car. Then folding his arm so that hers looped through, he walked her toward their destination. Still wondering where they were going, Edith's eyes lit as they turned a corner and a boat stood tied to the pier. "Oh Anthony," she gasped breathlessly.
He led her to the ramp and guided her onboard. Their table was near the back, next to the windows. As Edith looked around, she realized almost all the table had window seating. But she glad of their table because it felt somewhat more private than the others, tucked toward the back as it was.
"I hope you'll enjoy the arrangements," Anthony said. "There's music and after dinner we can dance, if you'd like."
"It's lovely," Edith said as she looked around. "I've done one of these cruises but it was a tea cruise. It has a whole different feeling at night, much more romantic," she said as her eyes settled back on his, her cheeks blushing.
"Ah yes, romantic. That's what I was hoping for. Not much longer and we'll be married, my sweet, and I do hope for many romantic evenings like this with you."
As the boat cruised down the river, the couple enjoyed their meal. But the scenery was lost on them, as they had eyes only for one another. In fact, they were so involved with one another, they had failed to notice two couples that sat toward the front, the Fordyces and the Marks. But both the wives had spied Anthony and Edith and shared a look that did not bode well.
Edith and Anthony chatted through the meal, light topics at first but then the conversation turned to where they would live after the wedding. "I've travelled so much these last few years, I'm rather looking forward to remaining at home," Anthony confessed. "But I wonder if you would rather remain in Yorkshire at Locksley or should we live in London?"
"London, I think; at least at first. My family can be rather suffocating and I want some time with just us."
Anthony's eyes lit. "Oh, I do like the sound of that," he replied. "So, my flat or shall we look for something larger or perhaps more … modern?"
Edith chuckled. "I love your flat, very much. Let's not worry about more modern. And yours has enough space, for now."
"For now?"
"Yes, well….if there are children…"
He smiled nervously. "Children? Yes, we had talked about that…"
" I think I want them, but… sometimes I wonder…"
"Maude and I…. well, it never happened. I thought… hoped really, but …."
"So, you do want children?" She asked.
"As I have said before, I had quite given up on the notion. I'm not certain how I feel now, except that the effort required to create one seems quite intriguing, with you."
"You don't want children?" Disappointment clouded her features.
Seeing her distress, Anthony knew he had to try to be more clear. "My dear, I… I haven't thought about children in years. I should have considered that you might want them. But I hadn't until you brought it up. Once, long ago, I hoped for children but now…. I find I'm feeling ambivalent. It will not upset me if they happen as a natural consequence of our life together but I can't say I am looking forward to it. I mean, at my age…. But, if it important to you I …. Well, I do want you to be happy. And I think it would be good if, well, if you weren't left alone when I…. er…. When I die."
"So, children will be alright but the idea doesn't really excite you?"
'Yes, I suppose. I will be quite happy if it is just the two of us. But if children are in our future, then I will be content with that as well." He was looking at her nervously now. "I… well, I…. It just…. Hasn't been something I've thought of in such a long time."
Edith took pity on him as he was obviously nervous about the topic. "Well, at least you aren't against the notion," she said softly. "We'll just see what the future brings then, alright?"
Anthony smiled at her nervously. "Yes. That sounds… wonderful. Any future with you sounds marvelous," he finished calmly. Glancing over his shoulder, Anthony saw that some couples were making their way to the second deck. "Shall we dance before we order our dessert?"
Edith could see from his expression that he'd said all he cared to say on the topic of children and she supposed it was time to let the matter drop. She knew he would accept any children that came along, even though he wasn't especially looking for them. "Yes, a dance would be lovely," she smiled, allowing the subject to drop.
They made their way to the upper deck where the band was playing and several couples were dancing. Edith paused at the rail and looked out over the river. "It is such a beautiful night," she said wistfully. Then turning to look at Anthony, who's eyes were on her, she added, "in every way."
"It is," he replied, his eyes not leaving her. Offering her his hand, Anthony led her to the dance floor, took her in his arms, and they began to dance. Edith settled comfortably into his embrace, resting her head against his chest and closing her eyes, she let the feel of him and of their movements together wash over her, bathing her in a warm, delicious wave of emotional sentience. This was the man she would spend the rest of her life with, or at least most of it. In a few days he would be hers in every way and she somehow knew that the enchantment she felt now with him was only a taste of what was to come. If only she could remain in his arms like this forever, the two of them in their own cocoon, ignorant of everything else, aware of only one another. Oh how lovely that would be, she thought.
They danced through a few songs and then returned to their table. Dessert was brought and once that was finished, Edith wondered if they might dance again. "Of Course, my sweet," Anthony replied.
"Lovely," she answered. "I'll just stop by the ladies and meet up upstairs then?"
"Alright," he said as he rose to help her with her chair. Edith could feel his eyes on her as she crossed the room to find her way to the ladies' room. There were several women inside creating a cue. By the time it was her turn, there were only a few left in the room. It wasn't difficult to overhear the conversation at the sinks.
"Honestly, I can't see why he has stuck with her so long," one voice said.
"Quite right. She really isn't his type," a second voice agreed.
"I wish James wasn't here with me," the first voice complained. "Then I'd be free to remind him of what he is missing by sticking with that little mouse."
"But if James wasn't with you, you wouldn't be here," the second voice reasoned. "Perhaps one of us could cut in when they are dancing?"
"Don't be ridiculous. James would be furious and your William would explode. No, we can't do much tonight but seeing them together here makes me even more determined to end this nonsense. I might even incorporate Rosamund's aide in breaking them up."
Edith's ears burned as she sat in her cubicle listening. She thought the voices had sounded familiar and now she knew who the women were. And they intended to include her very own aunt in their scheme! She felt hurt and angry and wanted so much to get back to Anthony but she didn't dare show herself to those women. It would only be embarrassing, so she waited. Eventually the two schemers finished and left. Edith hurried out as soon as she felt it was safe and went looking for Anthony.
He was standing next to the rail on the upper deck, deep in conversation with two men. He smiled nervously as Edith approached. "Ah, Edith," he said as he held out his hand to her, inviting her closer.
Taking his hand and siding up next to him, Edith turned to smile at the two men. "Hello," she said.
Both men looked startled at her greeting. "Darling, allow me to introduce William Marks and James Fordyce. Gentlemen, this is my fiancé, Lady Edith Crawley."
"Fiancé?" Fordyce was clearly surprised. "Wait, Crawley? You're related to Lord Grantham?"
"He is my father, yes. Do you know him?"
"Only by reputation. We really, erm…. Well, not in the same circles, you see."
"Oh, what a shame. Papa does have a small circle though. He prefers it that way. He says he needs to be able to trust those who are close to him."
"Yes, very wise," James Marks said as he flashed an ominous glance at Anthony.
"Right, well…. I've promised Edith a dance before the evening ends. If you gentlemen will excuse us," Anthony said warily.
"Just remember what I said, Strallan," Fordyce warned.
"As I said, your problem is not with me," Anthony replied as he gently pulled Edith away from the two men. Taking her in his arms, he danced them to the opposite side of the deck.
"Those men, they're…"
"Yes, my sweet, the husbands of Celeste and Karen. They've suspected my… erm, entanglement with their wives and had cornered me at the rail. You timely arrival averted a rather ugly scene, I think."
"I only just managed to avoid their wives in the loo. Celeste is plotting something and it sounds like she might try to involve Aunt Rosamund. I was so embarrassed and also angry at what they said."
Anthony stopped dancing and looked at her apprehensively. "What the devil did they say?"
"Just that I'm not your type and…. And they are planning to come between us."
Frowning, Anthony looked around. "I don't see them."
"Perhaps their husbands didn't want to bring them up here to dance, in light of your presence. I know Karen had suggested to Celeste that they should cut in to distract you."
"They'll do no such thing." Anthony looked around again and then out over the river. "I wish this boat would dock. I wonder how much longer…"
Edith squeezed his hand and shifted slightly closer. "I refuse to let them ruin this wonderfully romantic evening you planned for us. Let's finish this dance, shall we?"
Sighing heavily, Anthony looked down at her with a nervous smile. "I'm sorry. It seems my baggage follows me everywhere. Are you certain you want to marry me?"
Edith smiled at him, her eyes glittering. "Absolutely. Although, if you don't take me in your arms and dance with me this moment, I shall be quite put out with you."
His shoulders relaxed as did his smile. "I'm quite certain I don't deserve you, you know," he said as he took her in his arms again to finish the dance.
"Oh, I know," she replied coquettishly. "But I'm afraid you are quite stuck with me."
"Oh, how I do love you, my sweet," he answered softly as he pulled her even closer.
